Make your Business Retailing
by Melinda Burke, Center Director
Are you seeking a career that offers challenge, opportunity, excitement and a very competitive starting salary? Did you ever consider that a career in the retailing industry might be just what you're looking for? From accountant to buyer, merchandising to IT, consultant to executive, the opportunities for positions within the industry are seemingly endless. Not only that, but once you prove yourself on the job, position advancements within retailing are almost guaranteed. As you move up in the ranks you will also find remarkable income potential. In fact, it is not unusual for retail professionals to double their annual income within the first five years of employment! The retailing industry also offers a wide diversity of opportunities due to the changing scope of the business and global expansion. Many U.S. retailers are looking to Europe, Asia and South America for expansion, so if you love to travel and see the world, this could be the career for you!
A retailing career requires enthusiasm, passion for the business, strong people and analytical skills, creativity and competitive drive. The career, in turn, will be dynamic and seldom boring. What are retailers looking for in their candidates? Most recruiters report that the combination of academic achievement, leadership ability, strong communication skills and team experience are all essential requirements. If you want to get noticed by a recruiter, build a strong resume! Make sure you have some retail work experience and join a club or organization to develop your leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Student groups like the Future Retail Leaders Association or Students In Free Enterprise are focused on providing leadership experiences for students. These student groups are open to ALL majors.
More and more, major retailers are working closely with the UA's Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing to meet their aggressive recruiting goals with students all across the UA campus, in addition to our retailing and consumer sciences majors. Please take a moment to expand your career opportunities by stopping by some of the retailers at the Career Expo on February 14th. Take a brochure, speak to a recruiter and discover a whole new world of possibilities in retailing. Of course you are welcome to visit the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing (FCS 127) any time - I would love to talk with you personally about the business of retailing!
